How to Break Your Cell Phone & Internet Addiction

The latest studies have shown that Americans are averaging 9 to 10 hours of screen time a day. That's more than we sleep! Jared Cotter talked with licensed therapist and Disconnected author Tom Kersting about how our devices have crossed over from distraction to addiction.

1. Affecting Our Brain

Some researchers fear that this generation 15 – 20 years from now is going to have a litany of brain tumors because they take about 20 years to take root and the microwave radiation coming from a cellphone, although minimal, because it's constantly on the person isn't minimal anymore and it's getting into the brain.

2. Lower Emotional Intelligence

Without face to face interaction with human beings, we cannot develop emotional intelligence. This means we're not going to be able to cope effectively with the things that don't go our way in life, have a difficult time socializing with other people, connecting with other people and just overall feeling confident with ourselves.

3. Mental Toll

Tom Kersting coined a term called Acquired Anxiety Disorder because he had his hands full just like every other therapist and school counselor. From students to adults, so many people are having such a hard time handling what once was considered trivial life events and they are going into total meltdowns.

Electronic devices and media aren't inherently bad, but the problem is we are controlled by them, instead of us being in control of them. You might want to try a digital detox.

Detox Tips:

1. Do not bring tech into the bedroom, whether you are a kid or an adult. Have a box where all cell phones get put into at certain time of day and they are not allowed for the rest of the night.

2. Leave your phone at home intentionally. If you head to the mall or the supermarket, leave it at home. Get used to the nakedness of not having your phone.

3. Make an appointment with yourself. Schedule fifteen minutes a day in your calendar to sit down and be mindful and think about what it means to be a thinker.

4. Have family dinners most nights of the week where technology is not allowed, and that includes televisions being on in the background.

Check out the video below for more great digital detox tips.

How many hours a week are you on your smartphone and would you ever consider a digital detox? Join the conversation on our Facebook page, @TheListShowTV.